Valkyria Chronicles Hands-On Preview

We jump into the trenches with Valkyria Chronicles.

I'm of two minds about Valkyria Chronicles, Sega's anticipated PS3-exclusive alternate-reality WWII tactical-role-playing game from some of the creative minds behind cult Dreamcast RPG favorite Skies of Arcadia: On one hand, it wouldn't be an understatement to say that it might redefine the always enjoyable -- yet somewhat stagnant -- strategy-RPG genre. And let's face it, when notorious opinionated rivals like 1UP's very own Jeremy Parish and Shane Bettenhausen (just watch them square off on the merits of Mega Man 9on a recent 1UP Show) agree that something's worth playing, you know it's quality stuff. On the other hand, despite all its positives, I can't shake the feeling that Valkyria Chronicles isn't all that it could be.

SCREENS: Click the image above to check out all Valkyria Chronicles screens.

Let's start with the good stuff. First of all, I'm sure that I've raised a few eyebrows with the claim that this could redefine the strategy genre. That's not hyperbole; Valkyria Chronicles' angle is so simple, yet so successful, that I'm amazed it's never been implemented in a strategy-RPG quite this way before -- to my knowledge, at least. Basically, it boils down to this: The game puts the focus on strategy. "Wait," you say, "aren't most strategy-RPGs about, well, strategy?" No, many are simply about leveling up your characters and killing all the onscreen enemies. That's not strategy -- that's grinding.

Valkyria Chronicles opts for an egalitarian setup, which makes a world of difference from a tactical standpoint. You earn a set amount of experience in combat based on your performance, and from there you allocate the experience to each of your five classes -- adroit Scouts, well-rounded Shocktroopers, burly antitank Lancers, supportive Engineers, and long-range Snipers. So even if one Scout fells three foes in a given battle while another doesn't even lay a hand on the enemy, they'll both earn the same amount of experience in the end. You don't have to worry about who dealt the finishing blow -- you just have to worry about getting the job done. It's very liberating from a strategy standpoint.

Moreover, mission objectives revolve around tactical elements that make sense within the war context: capturing bases, staving off the enemy to buy time for reinforcements, or making a break for it through a narrow alleyway when you're outnumbered. In fact, in some cases fighting may not be the best solution. You can even save midbattle anytime you want -- really a must for any strategy game, but implemented by so few.

Refreshingly, Valkyria Chronicles doesn't lord its "cool stuff" over the player, either. Protagonist Welkin's about as milquetoast and uncharismatic as they come, but thankfully, he mans a freakin' tank right from the start. When was the last time you rolled over baddies with tank treads in a fantasy-RPG? Skies of Arcadia favorites Vyse and Aika are also available as playable characters, and by that, I don't mean that you've gotta beat the game on normal, then hard, then superhard, and then superduper-hard to unlock 'em. No, they're available within a couple of hours. I was kicking ass and taking names with a tank and Vyse and Aika almost immediately -- very cool. And while I'm never one to sell a game on visuals, there's no denying that Valkyria Chronicles immediately draws you in with its watercolor motif, expansive vistas, and bright, bold, comic book-style onomatopoeia that punctuates gunfire.

Yet it's precisely because Valkyria Chronicles does so many things well that its flaws --few as they are -- stand out. World War II, despite its modern retelling as the ultimate battle of good versus evil, was an extraordinarily complex conflict (as evidenced by the fact that American "ally" Josef Stalin was just as brutal as Adolf Hitler). Based on the first 10 hours, though, Valkyria Chronicles disappointingly relies on the classic RPG template of two world powers -- in this case, the Atlantic Federation and Imperial Alliance -- fighting over a precious natural resource.

SCREENS: Click the image above to check out all Valkyria Chronicles screens.

There's also the problem of the way Valkyria Chronicles' story is told. Maybe it's partly that I'm coming into the game directly from Dragon Quest IV, where each corner of the world's got a distinctive dialect and culture -- but you'll find more charisma and characterization in DQ4's dinky little PS1-era sprites than in Valkyria Chronicles' state-of-the-art, stylized visuals. Sure, some might argue that DQ4 goes a little over the top with its accents, but you can't deny the charm is there. Really, would The Lord of the Rings have been as effective if Frodo, Sam, and Gandalf talked like three random dudes on the streets of Seattle?

One notable exception is Ellet, a nosy '30s-style radio reporter who forcefully embeds herself into Welkin's crew -- she's a fast-talkin', straight-shootin' dame right out of a '30s flick, and more period-style characterization like this would've been welcome. Perhaps others will disagree, but when I immerse myself in a videogame fantasy world, I wanna go all the way -- I don't think that's too much for an RPG fan to ask.

Don't take this as overly harsh criticism, though -- it's just that the strategy elements of Valkyria Chronicles are so good that I wish the rest of the game could've equaled those heights. Even after 10 hours of play on a preview build, I can already proclaim this the best Japanese RPG I've played on PS3. But I'd almost prefer to not categorize it that way -- if you like good games of any genre, I'm confident you'll like Valkyria Chronicles.

Comments (50)

Nice Look

The preview does actually key into parts of the game that I have wondered about. I really wanted to like this game since it looks so good and is somewhat related to Skies of Arcadia. I did not realize that so many people liked Skies of Arcadia from the Dreamcast days until this game was announced. It seems they are inseparable in the previews and conversation.

I am picking it up...

So overall, it really kicks ass?

So the protagonist, dose not stand out to much? well he is well desined and maybe a good thing hes not a overdramatic emo kid with spiky yellow hair and a huge sword. Sounds like the gameplay is new and fresh and very very good from everyone I know who has rviewd it. Due to new gameplay style and it being welldone, this is the 1st "next gen game" I want to play the most.

This is exactly what PS3 needs.

PS3 needs to become home to great Japanese games like this, in all territories, to succeed.

Because of this game, Little Big Planet, and a smattering of others that have been poking at me for a while (Folklore and Disgaea 3, specifically), I finally want a PS3. Put backward compatibility back in, lower the price or give me a good deal, and I'm in.

Demo Demanded My Attention

Footage from this game has been all over YouTube, and the game was released months ago in Japan so I got my share of dazzling television commercials. But playing the demo this week launched this game directly onto my wish list. The visuals truly are extraordinary, and no amount of grainy web videos can prepare you for actually controlling action this beautiful. The gameplay was quicker to grasp than I expected (as someone not necessarily adept at strategy games or shooters) and more importantly, I had fun pursuing enemy soliders with my adorably feminine freedom fighter.

Why does this preview read like a review.

I want this one. Bad.

All these years I never bought a single Sega console, I never felt they had anything to offer over the PlayStation. What irony now. Virtua Fighter 5 Online was the main reason I bought my 360, and Valkyria Chronicle may be what convinces me to cough up for a PS3, especially now that FFXIII is no longer PS3 exclusive. Who says Sega has lost its touch?!

Uh huh

"they sure didn't go through all this trouble to sell this game to the 14 PS3 owners in Japan only."
If +1 million PS3 owners are considered "14 PS3 owners," what kind of numerical value would be given to Japanese Xbox 360 owners?

@ H3l4do_azul

I think i get what he's saying. It's the same way that Radiata Stories is kinda like a JRPG Oblivion...the games are not similar, per se, but they satisfy similar subconcious emotional needs in the mind of the gamer...